Dealing in Box art?

[Jeremy Jon]

I haven't been aware of this, but I tend to be in my workshop more than the model community so might be behind the times here some what?

Emailing with a fellow modeler, I was told that the selling/buying of 'just' the model kit box art is starting to become more of a regular thing

I know that many kits are more valuable because of their intact boxes, or unopened, but this is just about the empty boxes

I'm sure many of us have bought kits, and held onto old boxes for the covers, I know I have for some, we even have a few threads in forum going to highlite box art, but it's interesting to learn of this new(?) trend

Not sure if this is more so in Europe, rather than North America, but perhaps some others can speak about this topic further

Edited July 25, 2013 by Jeremy Jon

[slusher]

l have been keeping a few of the boxes just because of the box art. l just bought the Elvis/Manx release because l am a big Elvis fan. AMT has put out some real nice box art with thier kits...

[peekay]

I'm a real sucker for vintage box art and have bought four empty boxes so far, all early 60s Monogram and AMT.

At under $10 (each) I couldn't resist these pieces of history - and if it weren't for a personal economic down-turn I'd probably buy many more.

But I'm fully aware that it's a bit mad.

[crazyjim]

When I finish a build the box and directions go in the garbage can.

[W-409]

I have never bought an empty boxes or anything like that. But I know that some people do so, especially those who have lots of old models that are bought as assembled models and they are not in original boxes. A friend of mine wanted one box I had, because he said that it's simply easier to find the model you are looking for when it's in its own box.

Usually when I finish a build, I try to keep the box and instructions, if I have space for them. Usually I move some bought Glue Bombs into them if they have been in some other type of box. This is just because of I've heard Dad complaining it too many times that he has thrown those Jo-Han boxes away back in the day when they were just as common kits as Revell's new kits nowadays.

But of course, some boxes end up to trash can, if there just is not enough room for them.

[1930fordpickup]

To me Box Art can be just that, Art . It is what I like cars or trucks . Yes I am single and can hang on the wall or shelf what I want. The older the better for me.

[Tom Geiger]

I bought this box on eBay because it's my favorite box art of all time. Note that Bob Paeth signed it for me in the lower right corner in the sand. There's a great story there, and this is one of my favorite hobby possessions!

Aside from that, I've bought a few more of my old favorites, mostly when I saw them cheap at a show. I have a few on display across the top shelf in my model room.

[mrknowetall]

As much as I love the old box art, I don't think I've bought an empty box. Yet.

I've been fortunate enough to find old kits with the contents intact, in pretty decent boxes. Occasionally, I've actually bought kits from eBay sellers with boxes that are almost pristine. It's rare, but it happens.

[2000-cvpi]

I just hope that all if the common kit boxes that I have thrown out will never be worth anything. Especially the Lindberg Crown Victoria police car boxes, I must have tossed ten or more when I condensed two kits into one box. I do have a fondness for the old Johan flat boxes. I will but those if they are in good condition.

[ToyLvr]

A while back, I was at a model car contest/swap meet, and observed that some fellow was there buying-up all of the old 60s era boxes that he could find, whether the kit was intact or just an empty box.

I managed to catch up to him and talked to him a bit. Found out that he was looking for stuff to decorate his new "man cave" at home. He wanted to decorate at least one (1) wall with nothing but model car boxes.

I thought that was a pretty cool idea, but a bit expensive...

[zenrat]

Did you offer to take all the unwanted plastic off his hands Mike?

I cut the picture off the top of the box and put it in a tub with the instructions. One day i'll go through them and scan those that are needed for the Instructions library website ( http://public.fotki.com/drasticplasticsmcc/mkiba-build-under-c/ ).

I do keep the few classic old boxes I get and use them as storage.

[Ramfins59]

If I finish a model and feel that it is good enough to enter in a Show or Contest, I'll keep the box to carry the model in (padded with tissue) and when the contests/shows are done, I'll usually pitch the boxes and instructions.

[High octane]

When I finish a build the box and directions go in the garbage can.

Although I keep the instruction sheets, the boxes do go in the recycle bin as I don't have room to store empty boxes.

[Jeremy Jon]

Nice Nomad box cover Tom!

I agree, I've never considered the boxes really, with only a few being that I liked the artwork done, and that I suppose brings the point of box cover "photo" vs box cover "artwork"

There are some nice box photo work, like the Nomad Tom shows above ^^

...but long past now are the very cool illustrations and paintings that covers use to have, and I can tell you those took someone hours to illustrate, so respect from me for their efforts most certainly!

So I can see how those covers with "artwork" might actually gain in value, especially if most have been disposed of, and so few remain?

Edited July 27, 2013 by Jeremy Jon

[Jantrix]

A couple years ago, when my building started to pick up, I started cutting off and saving the box top art. I thought that maybe someday if I buy another house (renting now) I'd decorate the hobby room with them.

[Tony T]

I usually flat fold the box tops to make them easier to stack. I was considering using the fronts to decorate my workshop once I get it to that point, since we have a couple of walls to drywall yet. Either part of a wall or a top boarder or something along that line. I've never bought an empty model box...almost bid on one once, until I read the rest of the ad...

[Tom Geiger]

Nice Nomad box cover Tom!

Thanks, It's a favorite memento for me, having met Bob Paeth and having him tell me the story about his involvement with this kit, which was my favorite kit as a kid, mainly due to that artwork.

Since in this hobby we get to meet some of the movers I've had a few more things autographed. I have one of the Johan '59 Rambler wagon kit boxes signed by Okey. I also have a Tom Daniel signed box, and if I'm lucky enough to see him again, I'm hoping he'll sign my original 1968 TJ Taxi box.

Ronny signed this for me many years ago in New Jersey. The signature is on the box, under the shrink wrap. I carefully cut it off to cover just the box top and put it back on once he signed it. That is a complete kit in the box.

It's just neat stuff I enjoy having.